Apparatus for golf practice



NOV. 1, 1966 TAKE() KAMIYA 3,282,109

APPARATUS FOR GOLF PRACTICE Filed Dec. 18, 1965 ke sheets-sheet 1 d/67 :NVE/WOR y 75L/feo /famb'ya A77'RNEY Nov. l, 1966 TAKEo KAMIYA APPARATUS FOR GOLF PRACTICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 18, 1963 :Qs-4 cENrER INVENTOR 7x ke@ /fa/m'go:

Ana/wey Nov. l, 1966 TAKEO KAMIYA 3,282,109

APPARATUS FOR GOLF PRACTICE Filed Dec. 18, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR v lia/feo /fama'ya Y Nov. l, 1966 TAKEo KAMIYA 3,282,109

APPARATUS FOR GOLF PRACTICE Filed Dec. 18, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 co/vrRoL L c/Rcu/r SWITCH h T/MER csw 1 cs w 2 50 INVENTOR 75l/e0 Kama' a By? Nov. 1,-1966 TAKl-:o KAMIYA 3,282,109 APPARATUS FOR GOLF PRACTICE Filed Dec* 1B, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E 7CH/e0 Kamiya NOV- 1, 1966 TAKEo KAMIYA 3,282,109

APPARATUS FOR GOLF' PRACTICE Filed Dec. 18, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 /N VEN TOR sneznoa APPARATUS EUR GULF PRACTICE Taken Kamiya, 220@ 2-chome, Yawara-cho, Tokyo, Japan Filed Dec. 1S, 1%3, Ser. No. 331,588

5 Claims. (Cl. 73-379) This invention relates to an apparatus to be used for practicing golf, enabling :golfers to :hit a 4golf ball correctly so that they may drive the ball in any direction and distance at will.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an :apparatus to be used .for practicing golf, which automatically detects and indicates the deviation, op or down and right or left, from the dir'ection in which a golf ba'll should be driven, when the ball which is xedly mounted on the free end of a bar or rod in the apparatus, is hit.

It is a further object to provide an apparatus to be used for practicing golf, which detects and indicates the deviation, up or down and the right or left, from direction in which a golf ball should be driven, when the ball which is ixedly mounted on the free and of a bar or rod in the apparatus is hit, the detection and indication being accomplished by electrical means which retains eaoh indication rst m-ade until golf practice has been concluded.

Another object is to provide apparatus as described above in which the bar holding the ball has suticient durability to withstand strong mechanical shocks when hit repeatedly, while retaining its responsiveness and sensitivity for detection purposes.

According to the present invention, a practice ball is attached to the end of a steel bar lixed in a case. The bar is movable up and down and is somewhat elastic. The bar is supported in a stationary horizontal position, but is movable freely laterally, in a slotted guide. The bar support includes an electrical resistance which is variable in laccordance with the intensity of mechancial shock imparted to the bar by hitting the ball. The intensity of mechanical shock imparted to the bar by hitting the ball. rFhe intensity of striking force is indicated by a met'er connected in circuit with the electrical resistance and calibrated to read distance. Along a wall of the guide are contact members lplaced so that if the bar support of the struck balll comes in contact with them, indications are obtained showing whether the ball was hit too high or too low. On the ste'el bar itself, are spaced test points by means of which due to vibrations of the bar, are obtained indications of improper hitting of the ball inright and left directions. The results of each test are kept and serve as guides for correcting future practice play.

A further and `auxiliary object of the. invention is t-o provide means for keeping the steel'bar and practice golf ball locked up in such a condition as to prevent their use, unless a proper coin is deposited lin the apparatus. This makes the apparatus available for use for a certain l'mu'ted time.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description Itaken together with the drawings, where:

FIG. l isa plan view of a preferred embodiment of one part of the appartus.

FIG. 2 is a front end View of the appartus of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a plan view partially schematic of a mechanism `used to indicate lateral movements of the bar and ball.

- FIG. 4 is a side View partially schematic of a` mechanism used `in obtaining an indication of the distance the ball is hit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a circuit employed in the apparatus.

nitedStates Patent O digli@ Patented Nov. I, i966 FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an indicator box, forining part of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a plan View similar to FIG. 1 showing a mcdication of the invention including bar and ball enclosure means.

FIG. 8 is a front end view of the apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an 'enlarged plan View of essential parts of the enclos-ure means of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. l0 is a fragmentary side View of parts shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a circuit associated with the enclosure means of FIGS. 7-10.

FIG. 12 is a diagram fused in explaining operation of the apparatus to obtain indications of up or down movement of the ball and bar.

FIG. 13 is a diagram used to explain operation of the mechanism of FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is :a plan View partially in cross section of the golf practice hall holder, parts being broken away.

FIG. l5 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14, parts being broken away and other parts being shown -in side elevation.

In FIGS. l and 2 is shown part of the apparatus embodying the invention including a rather flat genenally rectangular case 21 having cylindrically In front wall 22 is a wide slot 24 which is inclined at an angle 0 (theta) of about 10 to the 'horizontal plane of the case 21. Secured at adjacent upper .and lower edg'es respectively of slot 2li are electrical Contact members 25 and 26. These members `are insulated from the wall of the case. Another electrical contact member 27 is located inside the case near the upper end of slot 24. Contact member 27 is supported by and insulated from framework 23.

In case 21 is a cylindrical casing 29. In this casing is anchored the spirally wound inner end of a spring steel bar 28. rl`he bar 28 has a straight section which extends Vforwardly horizontally out of sl-ot 24 and is normally dlisposed at the bottom right end of the slot as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Secured to the -ou-ter free end of bar 28 is a ball 30 which simu-lates a golf ball. A pin 31 extends upwardly from the straight portion of the bar 28 inside case 21. Pin 31 as best shown in FIGS. l and 3 extends upwardly between ngers of a fork 32. Pin 31 is axially vertical and the fingers of the fork extend horizontally with the pin centered between the fingers. Thus the fork is not disturbed and pin 31 can move freely with bar 23 in direction D when ball 30 is struck- The base of the fork 32 is pivotally supported on .a horizontal pin of `a bifurcated arm 35 so that the fork can pivot in a vertical plane. A stationary lbase member 33 secured to the framework 23 supports an axially vertical pin 34; see FIG. 3. This pin rotati-onall'ly supports `arm 35 so that the .arm can pivot in a horizontal plane. Arm 35 has a nger 3o projecting outwardly to the right and arranged between two pairs of normally open spring contacts 37, 3S. lf fork 32 is tpivoted to the :right in direction R as viewed in FIG. 3 around pin 34 as `an `axis L then contacts 38 wil-l be cl-osed.

Case 21 has apertured llanges 19 which can receive bolts for anchoring the case in a stationary horizontal position on a suitable supp-ort. When the ball 3# is struck with a golf club the intensity of the striking force is determined and indicated by parts of the apparatus which will now be described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 4. a shaft it@ is horizontally supported by bearing t2 and is axially 'movable therein. The bearing is secured to a bracket plate 41 attached to framework 23. The shaft 4t? is located `at 'a straight left end of wall 22 and extends horizontally through this wall. The horizontal plane of shaft #ttl coincides with the center of the upper end of Islot 24. A circular strike plate or disk 44 is secured to the outer end of shaft 40 so that the ball 30 will strike plate 44 at the end of travel of the ball after being struck. A coil spring 39 is mounted on shaft 40 between bearing 42 and plate 44 to bias the shaft outwardly or forwardly of the case 21. Secured near the rear end of shaft 40 at the rear side of bracket 41 is a flange 43 which limits outward movement of the shaft under pressure of spring .39. Secured to the rear end of the shaft is an insulator body 45 on which is wound electrical resistance coil 46. A stationary contact member 47 contacts the underside of coil 46 which is movable axially to the rear with shaft 40. Thus when the shaft and coil move axially to the rear or to the left as viewed in FIG. 4, the eective electrical resistance between contact 47 and the front or right end terminal 46a of the resistance coil is reduced. It will be apparent that the reduction in electrical resistance will be dependent upon the force with which ball 30 strikes plate 44 to move shaft 40 against resistance of spring 39.

In FIG. are shown details of the circuit 55 which involve measurement and indication of the striking force applied to the ball 30. Indicator circuit 48 includes a conventional voltmeter 39 connected in series with battery 50, electrical contact 47 and variable resistance 46. The voltmeter 48 has a needle or pointer P which has no return spring so that it iioats free and stops wherever it is positioned. In normal operation before ball 30 is struck the pointer will be located at the left end of the meter dial scale SC shown in FIG. 6. After the ball is struck, the pointer P will move to a position on the dial scale depending on the minimum resistance value of coil 46 which remains momentarily in series with the meter 49. This resistance value is taken between contact 47 and the meter. The dial scale SC of the meter 49 may be calibrated to read striking force or ying distance of the simulated struck golf ball.

Circuit 55 further includes indicator means S1 used for indicating whether the ball is struck so that it iiies too high or low with respect to an optimum path defined by slot 24 in the case. Indicator means comprises the upper contact member 25, lower contact member 26 and end contact member 27. Bar 28 which carries ball 30 extends outwardly of case 21 between contact members 25, 26 and will not touch them if the ball is struck exactly right. However, if the ball moves too high or too low in its iiight, bar 28 will contact member 25 or 26 respectively. Lamp L3 or L4 described below will light up when the bar 28 touches one of the contact members.

An indicator circuit 52 forming part of circuit 55 serves to indicate excessive movement of the ball to the left or right in direction L or R. Excessive movement to the left results in 'counterclockwise pivoting of fork 32 by pin 31 shown in FIG. 3, so that contacts 38 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 are closed by finger 36. Excess movement to the right results in clockwise pivoting of fork 32 by pin 31 and finger 36 closes contacts 37. These effects are indicated by lighting of lamp L1 or L2 in the indicator circuit 52.

Circuit 55 includes the visual indicating means cornprising lamps L1-L4. Circuit 55 further includes a control circuit 54 comprising relays Rl-RS which control lighting of the lamps which stay lighted until extinguished in the manner described below. A switch assembly 57 including two switches SW1 and SW2 is used to extinguish all lighted lamps and to return the pointer P of meter 49 to its zero position. A audible alarm 56 including a relay B and bell BL is used to call attention to the lighting of any of the lamps by ringing once; or by continuous ringing if no lamp lights to indicate flight of ball 30.

The relays R1-R4 of control circuit S4 each have four sets of three contacts. Relay R1 has contacts R1-1, R1-2, R1-3 and R1-4. Relay R2 has contacts R2-1, R2-2, R2-3 and R2-4. Relay R3 has contacts R34, R3-2, R3-3 and R3-4. Relay R4 has contacts R4-1,

R4-2, R4-3 and R4-4. Contacts R1-1 may be taken as representative The sets of contacts having a movable contact C1 and two fixed contacts C2 and C3. The movable contact C1 is normally closed with contact C2 when the relay is de-energized and contact C1 closes with contact C3 while opening with respect to contact C2 when the relay is energized Circuit 55 includes a stepdown transformer T whose primary winding is connected via a fuse 59 and ON-OFF switch 60 to alternating current power supply terminals 58. One secondary winding S1 is connected in series with a rectifier Se for applying direct voltage smoothed by shunt capacitor CR to movable contacts 37', 38' bar 28, voltmeter 49 and the open contacts C3 of each set of relay contacts R1-1, R2-1, R3-1, R4-1 and R5-1. It will be noted that all the contacts C2 of relay contacts Rl-l, R2-1, R3-1, R4-1 and RS-l are open circuited. The coil of relay R1 is connected at one end to xed contact 37 and to movable contact C1 of relay set R1-1. At its other end the relay coil is connected to the closed contacts of relay set R22. The coil of relay R2 is con nected at one end to fixed contact 38" and to the movable contact of contact set R2-1. The other end of this relay coil is connected to the closed contact C2 relay contact set R1-2. The coil of relay R3 is connected at one end to contact member 25 and the movable contact of contact set R341, and at the other end to the closed contact of contact set 114-2. The coil of relay R4 is connected at one end to contact member 26 and to the movable contact of contact set R4-1, and at the other end to the closed contact C2 of contact set R3-2. The coil of relay R5 is connected at one end to contact member 27 and to the movable contact of contact set RS-l, and at the other end to `the close-d contact C2 of contact set R1-3 Each of lamps L1-L4 is connected at one end to one end of secondary winding S2 of the transformer T. This applies alternating current to the lamps. The other ends of the lamps `are connected respectively to the open contacts C3 of contact sets Rl-Z, R2-2, R3-2 and R4-2. It will be noted that the closed contacts of relay contact sets R1-3, R2-3, R3-3 and R4-3 are connected in series with the other end of the coil of relay R5. The movable contact of contact set R4-3 is connected to the closed contacts of switch SW1.

The audible alarm 56 of the apparatus has an activating relay B whose coil is connected at one end to secondary winding S2. The other end of the coil of relay B is connected to a series arrangement of closed contacts of contact sets R1-4, R2-4, R3-4, R44, Bc and open contact of contact set R5-4. The movable contact of relay B includes an armature AR which carries an element CL used to strike bell BL.

Switches SW1 and SW2 have normally open iixed contacts Scl and SC2. A resistor SWR1 is connected between contact Sc2 and junction point J1 which is located between contacts Scl and SC2. Another resistor SWR2 is connected between junction point l1 and one terminal of secondary winding S1.

The movable contacts of contact sets Rl-Z and R2-2 are connected to the xed closed contact C2 of contact set R5-4. The movable contact of set R5-4 is connected to the fixed closed contact SCI of switch SW1 along with the movable contacts of contact sets R4-3, R5-2 and R5-3, and with the open contacts of contact sets R1-4, itz-4, R3-4, Rit-4.

The sets of relay contacts Rl-l, R2-1, R3-1, R4-1 and RS-l serve as holding elements to keep their respective relay coils energized by connecting the coils directly to the transformer winding S1, once these relay coils are energized even momentarily. As a result, if the coil of relay R1 is energized lamp L1 will light through closed contacts C1, C3, of set R12 and will remain lighted as long as the relay R1 is energized. Similarly lamp L2 will light when relay R2 is energized. Lamp L3 will light when relay R3 is energized and lamp L4 will light when relay R4 is energized. The lamps will stay li-t as long as their associated relays are energized.

ln FIG. 5 relays Rl-RS are marked respectively RIGHT, LEFT, HIGH, LOW and CENTER. This is indicative of their functions in the circuit. Similarly the lamps Ll-Lfi are designated respectively RIGHT, LEFT, HIGH and LOW.

The lamps, relays, meter and other electrical parts of the circuit are disposed in an indicator box or case 6l shown in FIG. 6, in order to avoid subjecting them to the rather severe mechanical shock imparted to the struck ball 30. For convenience, switch button 62 lwhich operates the switch assembly 57 shown in FIG. 5 is located on 'top of the case 2l as clearly shown in FIGS. l and 2. This is done so that the switch assembly 57 can be operated to turn out any lightedlamps and to ,turn off the ringing bell after the player has noted the results of hitting ball and is ready for the next practice stroke.

The bell BL is placed behind screen `67 in box 61. The dial SC of meter 49 is located at the top of the front panel of the Ibox 6l. Lamps L3 and L4 are located to the left and right respectively of the meter behind colored lenses 65, 66. Lamps Ll and L2 are placed behind colored windows 63, 64 respectively shaped as arrows pointing respectively right and left. Fuse 59 is located at the lower left corner of the front panel and ON-OFF switch 60 is located between screen 67 and fuse 59.

The operation of the apparatus will now be explained with respect to the several indicating functions. When the player strikes the ball in direction D shown in FIG. l he may tend to drive it too fiar to the left as indicated by `arrow R. If he drives it too far to the left, relay contacts 38 will be closed by nger 36 of arm 35 and relay R2 Iwill become energized. Contacts R2-1 will close and hold the relay energized even though contacts 38 at once open again. Lamp L2 will light up and remain lighted. At the same time relay contacts R2-3 open to prevent operation of relay R5. The power supply circuit of the bell relay B is closed through the newly closed contacts of set R2-4 and armature AR moves to strike bell BL one stroke. The coil of relay B stays energized so that the armature cannot move to strike again. If the player drives the ball too far to the right in direction R, contacts 37 will be closed instead of contacts 33 by finger 36.

Relay R1 will become energized; lamp Lll will light instead of lamp L2, and the bell will be struck one stroke since relay B is energized through closed contact set Rl-dl. Relay Ri will stay energized through closed contacts Rl-l.

Suppose the ball deviated upwardly too far so that bar 2B touched contact member 25. Relay R3 will become energized and will remain energized 'through contacts R3-.l. Lamp L3 will light. The bell will be struck once due to closure of relay contacts R3-4. lf the ball should be hit too low, bar 28 will touch contact member 26 and relay R4 will become energized and remain energized through contacts Ri-ll. Lamp L4 will light and lwill stay lighted. The bell 'will be struck one stroke due to closed contacts Rfi-d.

When bar 23 reaches contact 27, relay R5 will not become energized if any one of relays Rit-R4 has been energized, because then one of relay contact sets Rl-3 through Rai-3 will have opened. It will be noted that regardless of which one of relays Rl-Rfi and lamps LI-L4 is energized, it draws current through closed contacts R5-2 or R5-3 both of which are in the return line with switch Swll opened. Gnce this is done, the Power supply circuit of the energized relay or relays is opened and the relays and associated lighted lamps 'become de-energized.

Suppose the golfer plays a perfect stroke. Contacts 37 and 33 will remain open and the bar will not touch contact members 25, 26. However, the bar 28 will strike contact member 27 and this will apply current to relay R5 which will become energized through the closed contacts Rl-3 through Ivi-3. The bell relay B will be energized 6 through contacts Bc and R5-4, Contacts R5-4 will remain closed due to closure of contacts R5-1. Contacts Bc will open and close repeatedly so that 'the bell BL will be struck repeatedly and will ring continuously.

When ball 30 is struck it moves in direction D andcollides against plate 4M. The force of impact is indicated by the position assumed by the pointer P of meter 49 on the dial scale SC of the meter. The resistance 46 in circuit with the meter returns to its original value at once asv compressed spring 39 restores the plate 44 and shaft 40 to their original positions. The pointer of the meter remains however, at its position o-f maximum deflection on the meter dial. When the player notes this reading and then pushes button 62, switch SW2 is closed at contact SC2. This applies a voltage to the meter 49 through resistors SwRI and SWR2. The voltage is supplied by rectied current from secondary winding Sl and is reverse in polarity from that supplied by battery 50. Thus the pointer of 'the meter is restored to zero position on the dial lof the meter.

By the arrangement described above there is thus obtained-an indication of high, low, left or right deviation of ball flight by lighting of one or more lamps Lil-L4 together with one stroke of the bell BL. A correct hit of the ball results in no lamp lighting, but the bell BL rings continuously. The force of the blow applied to ball 30 and hence the distance the free ball would travel is indicated by the position assumed by the pointer P on the dial of meter 49. Operation of switch assembly 57 by pressing button 62, extinguishes all lighted lamps, stops the ringing of the bell and restores the pointer of the meter to zero position.

In theapparatus as described in connection with FIGS. 1-6 the errors in direction ofight of the ball are indicated only qualitively by lighting of a lamp and striking of the bell. It is desirable however, to obtain indications of the magnitude of the errors or deviations in direction of flight of the ball. To accomplish this the means illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be employed.

Referring to FIG. l2 there is illustrated means for indicating quantitively the high or low deviation in ight' of ball 30 from the correct optimum angular path. The contact members 25 and 26 at the edges of slot 24 in the front wall of case 21 are replaced by a series of upper contact members 7l and a series of lower contact members 72. The upper contact members are designated respectively 71 1, 71 2, 71 3 '71 n, and thelower contact members are designated respectively 72 1, 72 2, 72 3, 72 n. The upper contact members are supported in alignment'and spaced apart on insulation means 73. The lower contact members are supported in alignment and spaced apart on insulation means 74. Each of the individual contact members is connected to an indicator 81.

Indicator 8l has a group 77 of relays 75 individually connected to the upper contact members respectively. The indicator 8l has another group 78 of relays 76 individually connected to the lower contact members respectively. A line pointer 82. in indicator 81 is movable along an inclined dial or scale 81 having upper spaced scale divisions 79 corresponding to the upper contact members 71 respectively and lower scale divisions 80 corresponding to the lower contact members 72. The indicator further includes an upper lamp 86 located behind a colored window 88 and a lower lamp S7 located behind colored window 89. The lamps are connected in circuit with the relays 75, 76 respectively via wires 84, 85. The relay groups 77, 78 are connected via circuitry 83 in a manner somewhat similar to the arrangement of relays R3, R4 in FIG. 5, so that if any one of the relays 75, 76 is energized, all the other relays are deactivated.

The slant of scale Si corresponds to the optimum angle i of night of bau se.

In operation of the apparatus schematically illustrated in FIG. l2, it will be apparent that if bar 28 during ight touches any one of the upper or lower contact members 71, 72, its associated relay will be energized and the dial pointer 82 will move to the corresponding scale division 79 or 80. This provides a quantitative indication of the distance at which the flight of ball 30 deviated from the optimum trajectory. The scale divisions are staggered in position so that there will be no ambiguity as to the indication of the pointer 82. Furthermore either the upper or lower lamp 86, 87 will light indicating positively, but qualitatively whether the deviation in flight was too high or too low.

FIG. 13 shows schematically the means for indicating quantitatively the deviation to the left or right of the path of flight of ball 30 from the correct path. In this arrangement the fork arm 32 is now pivotally mounted on the axially vertical pin 34 and the members 35, 37 and 38 shown in FIG. 3 are omitted. Finger 36 is now attached directly to the end of arm 32 which has a contact element 36 connected via wire 36 to terminal 36a. Contact element 36 rides over an arcuate array of stationary contact points. The contact points of group 91 are designated respectively 91-1, 91-2 91-11. The contact points are connected respectively to a group 95 of relays 94. The relays in turn are connected to an indicator 98 having a pointer 99 normally centered at zero position but movable to the left to divided scale 96 or to the right to divided scale 97. The indicator 98 is connected via wire 98 to terminal 98a. Indicator 98 will have a battery connected to terminals 36a, 98a in the same manner as illustrated for meter 49 in FIG. 5.

In operation of the apparatus of FIG. 13, when fork 32 is swung counterclockwise indicative of a left deviation of the flight of ball 30 indicated by arrow L, contact member 36 will move to one of contact elements 92. A right deviation of the flight of the ball in direction R will result in movement of member 36 to one of contact members 91. The result will be a deflection of pointer 99 to either scale 96 or 97. If the pointer 99 has no return spring as described for the pointer of meter 49, then the pointer will remain at one of the scale divisions to indicate quantitatively the angular deflection left or right of the free flight of the ball.

In FIGS. 14 and l5 is shown another way of mounting ball 30 instead of employing the spring steel bar 28. In this arrangement ball support assembly 101 has a metal bar or shaft 103 which replaces bar 28 and performs its electrical functions in the circuit of FIG. 5. The assembly 101 is intended to provide controlled axial movement of bar 103 for operating the left-right indicating means of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6. The bar 103 extends axially through one end of a cylindrical sleeve 108 secured to an arm 102 integral with a cup flange 112. The cup flange is rotatably supported on bearings 115 and is held by bolt 114, washer 116 and nut 117 in a base member 113 which is secured in a stationary position to framework 23. The base member 113 has a depressed flange portion 118 across which extends arm 102 and which limits angular rotation of arm 102. Spring means (not shown) engages arm 102 to hold bar 103 normally in a position axially parallel to the right side of case 21 as shown in FIG. 7.

Inside of sleeve 108 is an outer helical spring 105 secured between end 102-1 of the arm 102 and anged inner end 103-1 of bar 103. Another helical spring 104 is concentric with spring 105 but is wound in opposite direction. Spring 104 is secured at one end to an axial extension 1022 of arm 102 and at the other end to an axial extension 103-2 of arm 103. An annular flange 109 is provided on arm 103. This flange is located between resilient ring Washers 110 and 111 seated in a compartment defined between flanges 110 and 111 formed at the outer end of sleeve 108. The washers 110, 111 will limit axial movement of arm 103. The springs 104 and 105 will cooperate if shaft 103 and ball 30 tend to rotate by resisting such rotational movement. At the 3 same time they will cooperate in permitting bar 103 to move axially and in restoring the bar 103 to the extended position showing after ball 30 is struck.

FIGS. 7-11 illustrate means for enclosing ball 30 and bar 103 or bar 28 so that unauthorized operation of the apparatus is prevented. Parts of the rapparatus corresponding to that of FIGS. l, 2, 14 and l5 are identically numbered and perform the functions described above. Referring first to FIGS. 7-10 it will be noted that an apertare 24 is provided in front wall 22 of case 21 at the lower end of slot 24. A horizontal fiat bar 121 is mounted in case 21 :and is slidable through aperture 24. An angle structure 122 is formed on the forward end of bar 121. This structure extends above and along the right side of ball 30 when bar 121 is extended. This arrangement partially eneloses the ball and prevents it from being struck. Bar 103 forming part of assembly 101 is prevented from lateral movement by :a fork 129 best shown in FIGS. 9 and l0. This fork has legs 128 disposed vertically and on opposite sides of bar 103. The fork has a foot 127 which bears against the underside of bar 121 and is held thereby a coil spring 126 supported on a pin 130 which also pivotally supports fork 129 at the underside of bar 121.

Fork 129 can be pivoted upwardly out of the way of bar 103 when bar 121 is retracted by means of a stationary cam 131 mounted at the underside of the top wall of casing 21. This cam is contacted by legs 128 to pivot the legs up in the direction of arrow 128 to clear bar 103 for lateral movement.

Bar 121 has rack gear teeth 124 formed in its right edge as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 9. These teeth are engaged by an axially vertical gear driven by a motor 123 mounted inside the casing 21. Two stationary limit switches LSwl and LSw2 are mounted inside the casing along its right side wall :as shown in FIG. 7. These switches can be contacted respectively by a finger extending laterally from bar 121. Motor 123 operates to extend the bar 121 until finger 125 operates switch LSwl. Then the motor stops. Motor 123 also operates to retract the Ibar 121 until finger 125 reaches switch LSw2 whereupon the retraction of the bar stops. Then both the bar 103 and ball 30 are exposed and ball 30 can be struck.

A coin controlled circuit 132 shown in FIG. 11 is used to operate motor 123 and switches LSwl, LSw2. In circuit 132 there are two relays R11 and R12. Relay R11 has three sets of contacts R11-1, R11-2 and R11-3. Relay R12 has three sets of contacts R12-1, R12-2 and R12-3. Each set has a movable contact C1 yand two fixed contacts C2', C3. Contacts C1', C2 of all sets are shown closed. The other contacts are open. Switch LSwl shown open is connected between one end of the coil of relay R11 and power supply terminal 133. Switch LSw2 shown open is connected between one end of the coil of relay R12 and terminal 133. The circuit has two power supply termin-als 133, 133'. The coils of the relays are connected at other ends to terminal 133. Relay contacts C1' of sets R11-2 and R12-2 are connected to terminal 133 along with switches LSwl and LSw2.

Circuit 132 includes double pole switches CSwl and CSwZ having respectively spaced fixed contacts a, b and a, b' and poles c, c. Poles c, c of the two switches are ganged together and moved between the respective spaced `contact pairs a, b and a', b'. Contacts a, b are connected together to one terminal of motor 123. This is a direct current reversible motor. The other terminal of the motor is connected to one open contact c3 of set R12-3 and to open c1 of set R11-3 and contact c1' of set R12-3 are connected to switch contacts a', b respectively. Poles c, c are connected to terminals 133, 133 respectively. Circuit 55 of FIG. 5 is shown in block form in FIG. ll. The switch 60 which is in series with power supply terminals 58 is ganged with poles c, c of switches CSw1 and CSwZ. The circuit is arranged so that when aesa, v109 a coin CN of proper denomination is deposited in a suitable receptacle 152 indicated schematicallyI the coin will operate to close switch titl and throw poles c, c to contacts a, a respectively, as indicated by arrow CC. The circuit also includes switch timing means 150 shown in block form in FIG. ll and which operates to open switch 6l) and throw poles c, c to contacts b/ a respectively a predetermined time after coin CN is deposited, s`o that ball 3i) can be struck for a time limited by the operating time of the switch timer 150.

Suppose now that :a coin is deposited in receptacle 152. Switch 60 will be closed to apply power to circuit 55. Switch poles c, c will be thrown to contacts a, a'. Switch LSwll will be in closed position because arm 121 is in fully extended position. Relay R11 is energized to close contacts C1', C3 of sets R11-1, R11-3 and open contacts C1', CZ of set R11k2. The motor 123 is energized via closed contacts a', c', C1', C3 of set R11-3, and a, c, and rotates in one direction to retract bar 121. As the nger 125 leaves switch LSW1 it opens but relay R11 remains energized through closed contacts of sets R11-1 and R12-2. The bar 121 retracts until iinger 125 reaches switch LSWZ whereupon switch LSwZ closes and relay R12 becomes energized. This opens contacts of sets R12-2 to deenergize relay R11 and closes contacts of sets R12-1 and R12-3. The motor circuit is broken at open contacts b, c and b', c and the arm 121 remains retracted.

The ball Btl can now be struck freely one or more times depending7 on the operating time of switch timer 151i. The switch timer will operate to open switch 60 and close contacts b, c and b', c. The motor will not be energized, but to run in opposite direction and extend the bar 121. When the linger 125 moves away from switch LSH/2 this switch opens but relay 12 remains energized through closed contacts of sets R12-1 and R11-2. When the finger 125 reaches switch-LSw1 it closes this switch, energizes relay R11 and breaks the motor circuit to stop the motor. *The apparatus is now ready for deposition of another coin CN to cycle the circuit again. This arrangement prevents undesired and unauthorized use of the apparatus unless proper payment is made by deposition of a coin of certain denomination.

What l claim is:,

1. An apparatus for golf practice comprising: a case having a front wall, said wall having a slot formed therein, said slot having an end, an electrically conductive bar rotatably axially movably mounted in the case and normally resting against said end, said bar having a free end extending axially out of the case through said slot at one end thereof, conductive members respectively located at the edges of said slot, a ball mounted at the outer free end of the bar and disposed to be struck by a golf club, first electrical indicating means for indicating the force with which the ball is struck, second electrical indicating means for indicating excessive high and low movement of the ball after being struck, third electrical indicating means for indicating excessive right and left lateral movement of the ball with respect to said. wall after the ball is struck, first movable means carried by said case and located at the other end of said slot for receiving a blow from the bl at its end of travel after being struck, second movable means inside the case responsive to radial movement of the bar relative to said bar mounting, iirst circuit means interconnecting said lirst movable means and first indicating means whereby the force with which the ball strikes said first movable means is indicated, second cir-cuit means interconnecting said conductive members and said indicating means whereby an indication is obtained when said barv touches either conductive member during rotational movement of the bar thereby indicating excessive high and low movement of said ball, and third circuit means interconnecting said second movable means and said third indicating means whereby an indication is obtained when the bar moves radially thereby indicating excessive left and right movement of said ball, a second conductive member disposed to be contacted by the bar near the other end of said slot, electrical signal means, fourth circuit means connecting said second conductive member and said signal means for activating said signal means when the bar contacts said second conductive member, and means for deactivating said fourth circuit means only in the event an indication is provided by any of the second and third indicating means, whereby said electrical signal means indicates travel of the ball in a perfect predetermined trajectory after being struck.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising other circuit means connected in circuit with said first, second, third and fourth circuit means for keeping active the first, second and third indicating means and said signal means after actuation, and disabling means in circuit with the other circuit means to deactivate all the indicating means and signal means to condition the same for new indications and signals.

3. An apparatus for golf practice comprising: a case having a front wall, said wall having a slot formed therein, said slot having an end, an electrically conductive bar rotatably axially movably mounted in the case and normally resting against said end, said bar having a free end extending axially out of thecase through said slot at one end thereof, conductive members respectively located at the edges of said slot, a ball mounted at the outer free end of the bar and disposed to be struck by a golf club, first electrical indicating means for indicating the force with which the ball is struck, second electrical indicating means for indicating excessive high and low movement of the ball after being struck, third electrical indicating means for indicating excessive right and left lateral movement of the ball with respect to said wall after the ball is struck, first movable means carried by said case and located at the other end of said slot for receiving a blow from the ball at its end of travel .after being struck,'a second movable means inside the case responsive to radial movement of the bar relative to said barI mounting, first circuit means interconnecting said first movable means and rst indicating means whereby the force with which the ball strikes said first movable means is indicated, second circuit means interconnecting said conductive members and said indicating means whereby an indication is obtainedwhen said bar touches either conductive member during rotational movement of the bar thereby indicating excessive high and low movement of said ball, and third circuit means interconnecting said second movable means and said third indicating means whereby an indication is obtained when the bar moves radially thereby indicating excessive left and right movement of said ball, said first movable means further comprising a shaft and a resistance coil carried by said shaft; a xed contact membertouching the coil, said rst indicating means comprising an electric meter, said 'first circuit means interconnecting said coil and contact member, so that the meter provides la reading .proportional to the amount of resistance of said coil in circuit with the meter when said shaft moves to its maximum extent after being struck by the ball, said reading being a measure of the force with which the ball was struck.

4. An apparatus for golf practice comprising: a case having a front wall, said wall having -a slot formed therein, said slot having an end, an electrically conductive bar rotatably axially movably mounted in the case and normally resting against said end, said bar having a free end extending axially out of the case through said slot at one end thereof, conductive members respectively located at the edges of said slot, a ball mounted at the outer free end of the bar and disposed to be struck by a golf club, rst electrical indicating means for indicating the force with which the ball is struck, second electrical indicating means for indicating excessive high and low movement of the ball after being struck, third elecl 1 trical indicating means for indicating excessive right and left lateral movement of the ball with respect to said wall after the ball is struck, iirst movable means carried by said case and located at the other end of said slot for receiving a 4blow from the ball at its end of travel after being struck, second movable means inside the case responsive to radial movement of the bar relative to said bar mounting, rst circuit means interconnecting said rst movable means and rst indicating means whereby the force with which the ball strikes said rst movable means is indicated, second circuit means interconnecting said conductive members and said indicating mea-ns whereby an indication is obtained when said bar touches either conductive member during rotational movement of the bar thereby indicating excessive high and low movement of said ball, and third circuit means interconnecting said second movable means and said third indicating means whereby an indication is obtained when the bar moves radially thereby indicating excessive left and right movement of said ball, a second bar disposed adjacent the rst named bar in the case, said second -bar being movable lengthwise through said wall between extended and retracted positions, said second bar in its extended position being disposed to partially conceal the ball and first bar, said second bar in its retracted position exposing the ball and outer free end of the first bar, means in the case for releasably engaging the bar and preventing lateral movement thereof when the second bar is extended, and a motor in the case operatively connected to the second bar for retracting and extending the same.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a coin receptacle, other circuit means connected to said mot-or and responsive to deposit of a coin in said receptacle for actuating the motor to retract the second arm and release the means engaging the bar against lateral movement, and timing means operatively arranged for actuating said other circuit means to operate the motor and extends said second bar a predetermined time after the coin is deposited in said receptacle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,052,988 9/1936 Proctor 265-21 2,245,739 6/1941 Thomas 73-379 2,528,616 11/1950 Smith 273-185 2,656,720 10/1953 Sonnett 73-379 2,894,751 7/1959 Simjian 73-379 2,897,674 8/1959 McNeill 73-379 3,078,718 2/1963 Hoke 73-380 RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Prmaly Examiner.

J. JOSEPH SMITH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR GOLF PRACTICE COMPRISING: A CASE HAVING A FRONT WALL, SAID WALL HAVING A SLOT FORMED THEREIN, SAID SLOT HAVING AN END, AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE BAR ROTATABLY AXIALLY MOVABLY MOUNTED IN THE CASE AND NORMALLY RESTING AGAINST SAID END, SAID BAR HAVING A FREE END EXTENDING AXIALLY OUT OF THE CASE THROUGH SAID SLOT AT ONE END THEREOF, CONDUCTIVE MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY LOCATED AT THE EDGES OF SAID SLOT, A BALL MOUNTED AT THE OUTER FREE END OF THE BAR AND DISPOSED TO BE STRUCK BY A GOLF CLUB, FIRST ELECTRICAL INDICATING MEANS FOR INDICATING THE FORCE WITH WHICH THE BALL IS STRUCK, SECOND ELECTRICAL INDICATING MEANS FOR INDICATING EXCESSIVE HIGH AND LOW MOVEMENT OF THE BALL AFTER BEING STRUCK, THIRD ELECTRICAL INDICATING MEANS FOR INDICATING EXCESSIVE LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE BALL WITH RESPECT TO SAID WALL AFTER THE BALL IS STRUCK, FIRST MOVABLE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID CASE AND LOCATED AT THE OTHER ED OF SAID SLOT FOR RECEIVING A BLOW FROM THE BALL AT ITS END OF TRAVEL AFTER BEING STRUCK, SECOND MOVABLE MEANS INSIDE THE CASE RESPONSIVE TO RADIAL MOVEMENT OF THE GEAR RELATIVE TO SAID BAR MOUNTING, FIRST CIRCUIT MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID FIRST MOVABLE MEANS AND FIRST INDICATING MEANS WHEREBY THE FORCE WITH WHICH THE BALL STRIKES SAID FIRST MOVABLE MEANS IN INDICATED, SECOND CIRCUIT MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID CONDUCTIVE MEMBERS AND SAID INDICATING MEANS WHEREBY AN INDICATION IS OBTAINED WHEN SAID BAR TOUCHES EITHER CONDUCTIVE MEMBER DURING ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE BAR THEREBY INDICATING EXCESSIVE HIGH AND LOW MOVEMENT OF SAID BALL, AND THIRD CIRCUIT MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID SECOND MOVABLE MEANS AND SAID THIRD INDICATING MEANS WHEREBY AN INDICATION IS OBTAINED WHEN THE BAR MOVES RADIALLY THEREBY INDICATION IS OBTAINED WHEN THE BAR MOVEMENT OF SAID BALL, A SECOND CONDUCTIVE MEMBER DISPOSED TO BE CONTACTED BY THE BAR NEAR THE OTHER END OF SAID SLOT, ELECTRICAL SIGNAL MEANS, FOURTH CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTING SAID SECOND CONDUCTIVE MEMBER AND SAID SIGNAL MEANS FOR ACTIVATING SAID SIGNAL MEANS WHEN THE BAR CONTACTS SAID SECOND CONDUCTIVE MEMBER, AND SAID FOR DEACTIVATING SAID FOURTH CIRCUIT MEANS ONLY IN THE EVENT AN INDICATION IS PROVIDED BY ANY OF THE SECOND AND THIRD INDICATING MEANS, WHEREBY SAID ELECTRICAL SIGNAL MEANS INDICATES TRAVEL OF THE BALL IN A PERFECT PREDETERMINED TRAJECTORY AFTER BEING STRUCK. 